Journalist Will Jackson noted a ‘strange’ incident involving Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt after he was left out of the club’s most recent game.
The Whites managed to pick up a point at home during their Premier League match over the weekend, even though winger Luis Sinisterra was sent off early in the second half.
Indeed, the clash against Aston Villa ended all square in an 0-0 draw, with neither team being able to make the breakthrough. With that in mind, Leeds could have used a bit of extra attacking quality – but young forward Gelhardt wasn’t picked to be on the bench despite being fit.
While speaking after the game for LeedsLive, Jackson explained that Gelhardt was warming up on the touchline and looking healthy ahead of the game, but wasn’t named in the matchday squad by Jesse Marsch.
He said: “We saw him before the game, obviously, and he looked like he was doing some sort of fitness test, like a late fitness test. He was stripped off, he had his little tracker vest thing on.
“So he looked like he was part of the squad and it was maybe a case of, get through this, see how you’re feeling and we’ll sit you on the bench.
“But Jesse’s just said there in his press conference that he was fit, and they just wanted to get him out on the pitch and get his boots on and just running up and down a little bit before telling him to get in the shower and sit in the stands – which I thought was pretty strange, to be honest.”
TIF Thoughts on Joe Gelhardt and Leeds…
As Jackson mentions, Marsch did confirm (via LeedsLive) after the game that Gelhardt was ‘perfectly healthy’ and that he just wanted the player there so he could do ‘a little bit of running just to boost his fitness levels’.
It certainly seems a bit strange to bring a player with the matchday team but not even pick him on the bench when he is fit enough to play a part, especially given he has been regularly involved so far this season, making five league appearances.
However, Marsch evidently felt he didn’t need to use Gelhardt on the day with other forwards Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, Patrick Bamford and Sam Greenwood all picked on the bench ahead of the youngster.
This could be worrying for Gelhardt, who won’t want to lose his spot in the side on a regular basis amid the competition for places.
Will Joe Gelhardt be given a chance for Leeds under Jesse Marsch this season?
Yes
No
